Shakira, the iconic Colombian singer, has shared insights into her collaboration with Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup album. Their joint track, Dai Dai, centers on themes of resilience and inner strength.
In an interview with People magazine, Shakira revealed that she had long hoped to work with the Nigerian Grammy winner. She described the creative process as remarkably smooth, noting, It was very easy to come up with the melody, the lyrics, the concept, and then obviously when I had Burna Boy recorded, that was like the cherry on top. I always wanted to do something with Burna, and I think that his voice just takes it to another level.
Shakira also emphasized the song’s deeper purpose: sending a message of hope and possibility to children around the world. The song is much more than a World Cup song. It is a message for every child who has been told that their dream is too big, and a reminder that every champion was once a child who may have faced hardship and struggle. There was always someone behind that child who believed in them, and that is why they did not give up, she explained.
She went on to stress the need for society to empower children through access to opportunities, especially education. “We must do our best to provide children with opportunities so they can achieve their goals in life, and the most valuable of those opportunities is education. That is why this song was created—not only for the World Cup, but for all those children who do not have access to quality education.”
Shakira concluded by highlighting the significance of this year’s World Cup as a platform to amplify the voices of marginalized kids. “At a time when the world feels divided, and algorithms manipulate us all, it is important that we come together, focus on children, and place them at the center of the conversation—making them the real protagonists.”
